U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) cheered the end of discrimination against gay couples in Florida on this first, historic day of marriage equality. U.S. Rep. Castor credited equal rights advocates across Florida for progress and congratulated all of Florida’s committed couples who have waited so long for marriage equality.  

“Equal rights are fundamental to our American values. Today, Florida turns the page on an outdated, discriminatory policy against couples who are in committed and loving relationships,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “More than two-thirds of U.S. states recognize marriage equality. In Florida, we have fought steadfast for equal rights too, despite so much opposition from Republican state leaders who would prefer to keep the discriminatory status quo. I will continue to champion equal rights in Florida and throughout the country.”

 Florida joins 35 states and the District of Columbia in recognizing same-sex marriages.

Couples seeking a marriage license should contact their respective county’s clerk of the circuit court:

• Hillsborough County:  Visit www.hillsclerk.com or call 813-276-8100. Office is located at 419 N. Pierce St. in downtown Tampa and hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Both spouses must apply for the license in person by providing picture identification and Social Security numbers. The three-day waiting period will be waived from Tuesday, Jan. 6 – Friday, Jan. 9 for same-sex couples. In addition, Clerk Pat Frank will perform a group marriage ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 6 at noon in downtown Tampa; for those interested in participating in this ceremony must get their license no later than 11:45 a.m.

• Pinellas County:  Visit www.pinellasclerk.org or call 727-464-7000. Office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and both spouses must apply for the license in person by providing picture identification and Social Security numbers.

U.S. Rep. Castor has been a long-time champion of equal rights and diversity. She was the sole vote against a gay pride ban in 2005 as a Hillsborough County Commissioner; this ban was unanimously repealed by the Hillsborough County Commission in 2013. In addition, she signed an amicus brief in support of overturning the Defense of Marriage Act; DOMA was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013. Last year, she hosted a wedding for a Tampa couple in her Capitol Hill office in Washington, D.C., where marriage for same-sex couples is legally recognized. Same-sex couples that wed in states where their marriage is legally recognized -- even if they reside in a nonrecognition state – qualify for the same federal benefits that all married couples have enjoyed.